Skills in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: (Skills in Counselling & Psychotherapy Series)

This step-by-step guide to the core skills and techniques of the cognitive behaviour approach is suitable for those with little or no prior experience in CBT. The author uses case examples from a variety of settings to illustrate the skills needed at each stage of the therapeutic process, and brings the therapeutic relationship to the foreground to show you how to build and maintain a successful working alliance with your clients. This second edition includes new content on: - the historical foundations of CBT - common presenting issues, such as depression and anxiety - third wave CBT - IAPT - insights from other approaches, relevant to trainees in other modalities with an interest in CBT Accompanied by a new companion website, which includes additional case studies, template forms, PowerPoint presentations for each chapter, and a wealth of material for further reading, this is an essential text for anyone wishing to hone their therapeutic skills in CBT.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Practising CBT Skills within their Knowledge Base Skills for Assessing, Formulating and Starting CBT Skills for Developing the Relationship in CBT Skills for Working with Negative Thinking Skills for Working on Changing Behaviour Skills for Working with Emotions Skills for Working with Enduring Life Patterns Maintaining and Developing CBT Skills Appendix 1 Resources for CBT Measures Appendix 2 Other Cognitive Methods using Cost Benefit Analysis and Pie Charts

About the Author :
Frank Wills is an Independent Cognitive Psychotherapist based in Bristol and also a tutor at the University of South Wales. He is co-author of Cognitive Therapy, Second Edition (SAGE, 2005) and Counselling for Anxiety Problems, Second Edition (SAGE, 2002).

Review :
The book provides sound coverage of CBT skills, including helpful illustrations of therapist-client interactions which provide a hands-on approach to counsellor training.   This is a particularly accessible book that bridges theory and practice in a succinct and clear manner.   This book has the ability to provide practitioners with the fundamental knowledge, together with a thorough and systematic explanation of becoming a CBT counsellor and psychotherapist. This is a fascinating book, which I will be happy to have on my book shelf. The author carefully outlines all the basic therapeutic techniques used in CBT today, elaborating in each case relevant CBT skills, as well as discussing emotional and interpersonal aspects that may surface, and escribing strategies that may be relevant at that point. Some of these strategies have been drawn from other therapeutic schools, but would obviously be useful. This is done with great clarity, and has the effect of placing CBT in a broader context, which will be helpful for CBT therapists, and may also be intriguing to therapists from other backgrounds, making  CBT seem less alien, and alerting them to its finer points. This book has an elegant structure, is well organised, and will make an excellent reference book.